Presentation: The Effect of Specific Immunotherapy On the Clinical Response In Patients with Grass-Polen Induced Rhinoconjunctivitis (World Allergy Congress)

Monday, 5 December 2011

Poster Hall (Cancún Center)

Zoran Arsovski, MD, MSc , Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergy, Skopje, Macedonia

Biserka Jovkovska Kaeva, MD, PhD , Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergy, Skopje, Macedonia

Miroslav Gavrilovski, MD, PhD , Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergy, Skopje, Macedonia

Tome Stefanovski, MD, PhD , Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergy, Skopje, Macedonia

Sava Pejkovska, MD , Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergy, Skopje, Macedonia

Suzana Arbutina, MD , Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergy, Skopje, Macedonia

Irfan Ismaili, Dr , Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergy, Skopje, Macedonia

Tatjana Caparoska, MD, PhD , Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergy, Skopje, Macedonia

Dejan Dokic, MD, PhD , Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergy, Skopje, Macedonia

Background: Specific immunotherapy (SIT) has a significant potential in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of specific immunotherapy (SIT) in patients with grass-pollen induced allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis.

Methods: 26 patients with pollen induced rhinoconjunctivitis and positive history for more than two years were included in our study. They had skin prick test of ≥ 5 mm, age range from 18-44 years and all underwent conjunctiva provocation tests before and after one year of SIT. Clinical severity score of nasal and conjunctiva symptoms during the season was assessed by 4-point arbitrary rating scale from 0-3. Conjunctiva provocations were performed out of the season until allergic symptoms occurred, achieving the allergen threshold dose (ATD).

Results: After one year of SIT, we have noticed reduction of clinical symptoms present in allergic conjunctivitis: burning, itching, lacrimation and hyperemia (p<0,05). We have found also reduction in clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis: secretion, irritation, itching and nasal blockade (p<0,01). The patients tolerated significantly higher allergen doses in provocation tests after one year of SIT, reaching new ATD.

Conclusions: SIT reduces the clinical symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and modifies the inflammatory response after specific allergen challenge.

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